JOURNEY HOME DAVID GULPILIL (M) Au 89min

Journey to remote Australia for a celebration of life like you’ve never seen before.

When Australia’s most renowned Indigenous actor David Gulpilil passes away far from his Homeland, his family struggle against huge logistical challenges to fulfill his final wish, to bury him on his Homeland, over four and a half thousand kilometres away.

Narrated by Hugh Jackman, with contributions from Limbo star Natasha Wanganeen and also featuring storytelling from Baker Boy – a sure sign of just how high esteem Gulpilil was held in by his colleagues – this thoughtful and sensitively told doco allows the audience a remarkable insight into cultural practices that would normally remain far from the eyes of Balanda (non-Indigenous people, in Yolŋu Matha) as preparations are made for his Bäpurru (funeral). There’s no understating the generosity of this gift.

It’s one heck of a journey, involving boats, jeeps, planes and a helicopter, no less, with representatives from many clans guiding the way with great reverence as Gulpilil’s procession visits countless communities along the way. He’s also honoured in the NT parliament; a suitably epic send-off for someone who will shimmer for eternity on the silver screen.

In English (M) 89 mins.

You may also like the following events from Unseen Cinema - End Credits:

• This Sunday, 16th November, 06:30 am, HOMEBOUND (M) India 119mins in Cairns
• This month, 30th November, 06:30 am, PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK (M) Palestine 113mins in Cairns

Also check out other Arts events in Cairns, Theatre events in Cairns.